Violence against women, children condemned in Davao City

DAVAO CITY, Philippines (Mindanao Examiner / Nov. 24, 2010) – A local city councilor strongly condemned violence against women and children and urged her colleagues to seek justice for all victims of these abuses.

Lawyer Leah Librado, head of the Davao City Council’s Committee on Women and Children, called the attention of the public about a 12-year old girl from Toril district in Davao City who was reported to have been raped recently.

She said a 6-year old child was also found dead after being raped by a young neighbor and the controversial rape case filed by a local woman against a prominent businessman in 1998.

“I urge those who were raped to seek appropriate redress and those who feel challenged by this grim situation to gather support for all victims of violence against women and children to eventually recognize their rights and provide appropriate services, whether legal, psychological or otherwise, for their welfare and best interests,” Librado said.

Human rights groups and women’s groups are expected to join Thursday the commemoration of the International Day of Protest on Violence Against Women as part of their massive campaign and opposition to the so-called deadly sins against women which includes rape and incest, sexual harassment, domestic violence, sex trafficking and prostitution, lack of government services for women’s maternal and reproductive health and political repression. (Mindanao Examiner)